Jasmine-Rose Johnson and Bad Guy bring the new play. I was kinda the bad guy to the Brighton Fringe this month.
Inspired by a Reddit prompt, the story follows the relationship with two best friends who care for each other deeply and how getting better sometimes means saying goodbye.
Where: Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, and The Walrus (Basement)
When: 20-21 May, and 29-30 May (various times)
Ticket link: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/i-was-kinda-the-bad-guy/
Jaz tells us more about the show, the fringe, and future plans!
What’s the best thing about being part of the Brighton Fringe?
Living in Brighton for 6 years now, i’ve attended many events for school, for entertainment, and to support other friends.
The first show I saw in 2018 really introduced me to the beautiful potential in the fringe (I had no idea pubs even had theatres!). Getting to be a part of it now feels like a full circle moment.
I was kinda the bad guy focuses on mental health. What makes it stand out from other shows in the field?
I think I was kinda the bad guy stands out cause of how honest it is. The play explores high fantasy and deep reality, which is often a real part of dissociation and maladaptive daydreaming.
Our characters get more grounded as the show goes on cause they have to do better for themselves and grow from their hurt and pain.
Do you think it is an important part of fringe theatre to tackle difficult subjects head-on? What should audiences expect from your show?
I think theatre should make us feel cathartic when we leave. Talking about hard topics is a part of that. Depression, Eating Disorders, Grief, Psychosis.
When we see people talk about the awkward and uncomfortable parts of life, we all heal from it. Our show does a lot of that.
We are the “bad guy” and make you think about those things you want to ignore just like any good friend would.
Do you think the fringe festival scene is in a healthy state at the moment?
I think after COVID there’s been a huge push from so many of us to engage with the arts. I wrote the show over lockdown as i’m sure many others did too.
The fringe is an amazing place for us to finally get to share our stories with you all.
What’s next for you and the show?
I’ll be graduating from Sussex this July with a degree in Law with American studies (very different to theatre I know), and moving to Bristol to pursue a Masters in Special Education.
I’m definitely going to keep pursuing this passion and hope to show the play to my soon to be new city.